Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1887-04-30
WASHINGTON.
Items ofInterestabout Men and Affairs
Around the National Capitol.

What the President is reported to
have said to a western Senator (Mr.
Vest, of Missouri), has been the chief
topic Of conversation here for the past
two days, and has for the moment
fixed public attention on the question
OF a denomination and reelection in
1888. Whatever the President may
have said to the Senator from Mis-
souri,, whether he said anything or
not, what Mr.. Vest said on the sub
ject, and what either of them meant
or intended by their alleged utteran-
ceS will continue to be a source of
comment and discussion until the
nomination of 1888 is a thing of the
past.
1t was dull time and the publica-
ton that the President would not ac-
cept a denomination was startling,
and naturally produced slight SEN
sation, or at least subject of common
talk. Every body had something to
say about it, but every body with ex-
perience enough to know how these
things are done and to be able to dis
tinguish between the probable and
the impossible, said practically what
Senator Vest and Col. Lamont have
since stated, namely, that they do
not believe that Mr.. Cleveland is
working for second term, or that he
has any great desire for one, but that
he will probably wait until he is ask
cd before he either accepts or declines,
and that lifetime for discussing the
matter has not yet arrived.
Senator Vests explanation of the
matter is that he was not correctly
quoted, but he thinks this great news
paper oak must have sprung from a
little acorn which he dropped in con-
versation with some friends at Cham
berlain's few days ago. These
friends were opposed to Mr.. Cleve-
land and declared that he was work.
ing for denomination, while they
mentioned several acts of his as proof
of the accusation. Mr.. Vest remem-
bers that he demurred very positive
ly, and replied that he knew that
President Cleveland did not want a
second term, that he was working for
the purpose of leaving the Govern
ment in such shape that any good
Democrat could be elected. He
thinks too, that he added, by way of
strengthening his authority, that the
President told him so himself. .
Public attention is now concentra-
ting upon the National Drill which
takes place here next month. For
tunately the city will be out in all
her vernal glory in the month of May.
The foliage Of 10000 trees will shade
her long, broad, smooth streets. The
parks, circles, triangles and other open
spaces will be in full bloom of flow
ers and variegated shrubbery. No city
in America can compare with Wash
ington and its surroundings in the
month of of May, and it is then that
its architectural grandeur is seen to
best advantage. The city presents
the spectacle of a magnificent Nat
ional Park interspersed with vast
public buildings, monuments, statua-
ry and handsome private residences,
all bordered by the placid Potomac.
And Washington is to be merry in
other ways during the month oftlow-
ers, as the following calendar OF
events will show. The races will
take place in May; Patti will sing in
May; Forepaugh's circus will come,
the National Association of Hotel Pro
prietors will meet there; The reun-
ion of the Army Of the Cumberland
and the unwilling Of the Garfield
statue will occur; some Other1reun-
ions are to take place, and last but
most important the grand 'encamp-
ment of citizen soldiery which will
commence on the 23rd of May and
close on the 30th, Decoration Day.
Preparations for Drill are going
briskly forward. The grounds around
the Washington Monument, on which
the city of tents will be spread, is be-
ing put in condition for the camp,
and, the level ellipse, half a mile in
circumference, where the Drill will
be held, is being surrounded by a
grand stand for spectators. This
ground lies between the Monument
= and the White House, and is known
as the White Lot. Here the infan-
try, cavalry, artillery and Zouavc tao
tics will be tested daily, and each
evening there will be Il grand brigade
dress parade, while on the Governors
Day will be the great parade. The